Events

USQ Update

League Updates: June 2018

This article gives an overview of what to expect from USQ in the coming months. We will periodically update this document with links once new information is available.

Photo by: Arielle Flax

As the 2017-18 season comes to a conclusion, we are excited to look ahead to next season, which officially begins on July 1, 2018. In the two months since we crowned the national champions at US Quidditch Cup 11, USQ staff has been hard at work wrapping up this season’s projects and preparing for the start of the season. Over the summer, we will be posting a number of important updates and policies.

Strategic Planning

During the 2017-18 season, USQ has been undergoing a strategic planning process. The new strategic plan will map out a three-year vision for the league’s future, including plans for new team development, youth team development, team relations, and increasing the number of competitive opportunities available for all teams.

We are thrilled and grateful to see the outpouring of support for the US National Team from our community! Here is how you can support the team:

You can make a one-time or recurring general donation to the USNT here.

Kits and other USNT-branded athletic gear is available here in the USNT Savage Apparel Co. store. If you buy a player replica, the team not only receives commission, but that player also gets a gift card from Savage!

USNT-branded t-shirts and tanks are available here on our DFTBA store. Supplies are limited!

The USNT also has a Flipgive portal, a link for online shopping that buyers can use to redirect a percentage of their purchases to the USNT. Shop online using the USNT Flipgive link here.

Keep an eye on the USNT Facebook, USNT Twitter and the USQ Instagram to learn more about the USNT athletes. The IQA will be streaming games on their YouTube account here, and additional USNT games not on the main stream may be broadcast on the USNT Facebook. We encourage fans hosting watch parties to post photos on social media, tag the team, and use the hashtag #RedeemTeam2018. More information about how you can watch games and follow the team from home will be posted next week. In addition to updates during the event, we’ll be sharing results as soon as the tournament is complete.

Membership Information

Earlier this week, we posted a survey for all members to give feedback on the 2017-18 season. Information in our annual membership survey helps to inform decisions that we make for the following seasons. If you were a USQ member this current season, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and share your thoughts with us.

Regional coordinators will be reaching out to teams to confirm their plans for the 2018-19 season, and provide assistance as needed. All team admins should reach out to their regional coordinator. If you are not sure how to contact your regional coordinator, please email membership@usquidditch.org.

The pricing for memberships for the 2018-19 season has been posted here. Registration for the 2018-19 season will begin on July 1. The cost is not changing for official collegiate or community team registration, adult players, coaches, and referees. We are introducing free youth team and player memberships, as well as providing an opportunity for unofficial teams to be listed on the USQ website at no cost, to facilitate teams connecting with each other more effectively. This article also includes information about team officials requirements.

Updated information about annual membership grants will be posted the second week of July. Grants have typically been available to provide equipment to new teams, player registration fees, and coach memberships.

Rulebook 12

The 12th edition of the US Quidditch rulebook will be released by July 13. With the timing of the IQA World Cup this year, it is better for us to release the rulebook after that tournament is over, especially since World Cup is using a different rulebook.

Referee Testing

As outlined in the membership update article, officials need to pass a series of written tests in order to become certified. These referee tests are based on the updated rulebook. The updated written tests will be available on July 27.

Let the Kids Play Fundraiser

We launched a fundraising initiative in April called Let the Kids Play. While some quidditch teams are fortunate enough to have access to the tools and supplies to build their own set of hoops, others find themselves paying anywhere from $250 to $500 for their first set. For a new college or high school team, this fee on top of registration, uniforms and other equipment costs can be a barrier to entry. That is where US Quidditch's Let the Kids Play: Equipment Fundraiser comes in.

With our fundraiser extension, we were able to raise over $4,000 that will go directly towards equipment grants for new high school and college teams. We will be posting information at the end of July with information on how eligible teams can apply for an equipment grant, as well as a full report on funds raised during the campaign.

2018-19 Event Locations

The event locations and dates for this coming season’s events has been announced here. US Quidditch Cup 12 will be held on April 13-14, 2019 in Round Rock, Texas. The 2018-19 season will also see the introduction of super regional championships.

At the beginning of August, we will be posting an article with updates to gameplay deadlines and policies.

Team registration will open for regional championships in the middle of August. This will include information on hotel registration for all 2018-19 events.

Tournament Director Certification

Information on the recertification process for tournament directors will be available by the end of June. We are also currently looking for a new volunteer to fill the role of Tournament Director Certification Coordinator. Applications are due this Sunday, June 24. More information is available here.

Event Sanctioning

Every year, USQ offers additional support to over a dozen tournaments through our event sanctioning program. Additional information on how to apply, in particular the timeline for financial support grants, will be available by the end of June.

US Quidditch (USQ) is a magical 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to governing the sport of quidditch and advancing the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower all genders to compete together. Inspired by the Harry Potter novels, USQ serves athletes and fans, from sport-lovers to book-lovers and everything in between.